THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE
The first fruit of the Spirit is not power, nor knowledge, nor even zeal.
It is love.
This is no accident in the wisdom of God. Love stands first because love is the very nature of God Himself. "God is love" (1 John 4:8).
When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within the believer, His great purpose is to reproduce in us the character of Christ, and the character of Christ is love.
The tree is known by its fruit, and the child of God is known by the love that flows from a heart surrendered to the Savior (John 13:35; Galatians 5:22-23).
Many believers seek victory, usefulness, or spiritual strength, yet the Lord seeks something more. He desires that we abide in His love and become channels through which His love may reach the world (John 15:4-5, 9).
Human love often rises and falls with circumstances. It may love those who are kind and withdraw from those who wound us.
But the love produced by the Spirit has its source in heaven.
It continues when it is misunderstood.
It serves when it receives no reward. It forgives when the natural heart longs for revenge.
Such love is not manufactured by human effort. It is the life of Christ expressed through a yielded vessel (Romans 5:5).
How often we fail because we attempt to love in our own strength. We make resolutions, only to discover that the old self remains weak and selfish.
The secret is not found in striving but in abiding. A branch does not struggle to bear fruit. It remains connected to the vine, and the life of the vine produces the fruit naturally (John 15:1-5).
In the same way, the believer who lives in communion with Christ finds that love begins to spring up where bitterness once grew, patience where irritation once ruled, and compassion where indifference once dwelt.
This heavenly love reveals itself most clearly in our relationships with others. The Lord does not ask us merely to tolerate one another but to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:31-32).
The measure is astonishing. Christ loved us when we were undeserving. He sought us when we were wandering. He forgave us when we were guilty. The Spirit longs to form that same disposition within us.
Every opportunity to show kindness, every occasion to forgive, every chance to serve becomes a field in which the fruit of love may grow.
Love also transforms our fellowship with God. Many Christians live as servants who fear displeasing their Master, but God desires children who rest in their Father's affection (Romans 8:15-16; 1 John 4:16-19).
As we become persuaded of His love toward us, our hearts are drawn to love Him in return. Obedience ceases to be a burden and becomes a delight.
Prayer becomes communion.
Worship becomes adoration.
Service becomes gratitude overflowing from a heart captivated by Christ.
The world hungers for this fruit. It has seen arguments, divisions, and displays of religious pride. What it longs to witness is the beauty of Christ manifested in His people (Matthew 5:14-16; Colossians 3:12-14).
A life filled with the Spirit does not merely speak of love; it demonstrates love. Such a life becomes a testimony more powerful than eloquent words.
The fragrance of Christ spreads wherever His love is allowed to reign.
Let us then bow before the Lord and confess our inability to produce this fruit ourselves. Let us yield ourselves fully to the Holy Spirit and trust Him to do His blessed work within us.
As we abide in Christ day by day, the first fruit of the Spirit will appear more abundantly. Love will grow where self once ruled, and the life of Jesus will become visible in us for the glory of God.
____________
Our Father, we thank You that You have loved us with an everlasting love. Teach us to abide in Christ and to depend wholly upon the Holy Spirit. Fill us with the love that comes from heaven, that we may love You more fully and love others as Christ has loved us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
BDD
